Minister for Police and Emergency Services Joy Burch recently tabled a review in the Legislative Assembly, which makes several recommendations to improve the effectiveness of the Emergencies Act 2004.
“The report recommends increasing the penalties for anyone who causes a bushfire on a total fire ban day,” Ms Burch said. “The current penalties need to be strengthened to reflect the severity of the offence. It has also been recommended that it be made an offence to undertake high risk activity in the open air on a total fire ban day. Activities such as welding, grinding and gas cutting have caused grass and bushfires in the past and should be avoided.” Ms Burch added.
Ms Burch explained that the recommendation is for penalties to increase from 50 penalty units ($7,500) to 200 penalty units ($30,000) and/or a maximum of two years imprisonment. Under section 203, a review of the Emergencies Act 2004 must be completed every five years and a report tabled in the Assembly. Burch added that a discussion paper was released to the ACT community seeking submissions in August. Burch went on to point out that the ACT Emergency Services Agency (ESA) also undertook a targeted consultation process with key stakeholders including the United Firefighters Union, Transport Workers Union, ACT Bushfire Council and ACT Conservation Council as well as Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Service volunteers.
“This review is about ensuring Canberrans are best protected by effective legislation and our emergency frameworks in addition to well resourced, high quality emergency services. This review provides opportunities to strengthen our emergency management arrangements,” Ms Burch said.